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A cheap way to beat the heat

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SE12-Burgh

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
I've had the same problem with heat radiating of the black dashboard on bright sunny days as others. I've not been too ready to shell out the cash for the custom dash covers available on some sites. I stopped into a Target on a recent trip and bought a Spa Bath Towel 30 x 54 in / 75% cotton - 25% rayon for about $7.00. The color is called "Elephant." It stayed on the dash without moving and reduced heat greatly. (I'll probably find a way to secure it soon.)
When I had my polarized sunglasses on it was pretty much invisible. It does reflect without the sunglasses but who needs it on a cloudy day.
(I just reset my mpg if anyone was wondering.)

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#3 ·
SE12-Burgh said:
I've had the same problem with heat radiating of the black dashboard on bright sunny days as others. I've not been too ready to shell out the cash for the custom dash covers available on some sites. I stopped into a Target on a recent trip and bought a Spa Bath Towel 30 x 54 in / 75% cotton - 25% rayon for about $7.00. The color is called "Elephant." It stayed on the dash without moving and reduced heat greatly. (I'll probably find a way to secure it soon.)
When I had my polarized sunglasses on it was pretty much invisible. It does reflect without the sunglasses but who needs it on a cloudy day.
(I just reset my mpg if anyone was wondering.)

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Click to expand...
Great idea, but I wouldn't call it anywhere near invisible, with or without sunglasses.
 
#4 ·
I could see using it while parked, but during driving I don't think it gets too hot.
 
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#5 ·
scott7278 said:
Great idea, but I wouldn't call it anywhere near invisible, with or without sunglasses.
Click to expand...
He means the glare on the windshield from the towel, not the towel on the dash itself. Polorized sunglasses do get rid of pretty much all the glare, my Oakleys do the job very nicely. Gotta start doing this in my car as well, been 100+ everyday here and car holds the heat well into the night when I'm commuting to work.
 
#6 ·
Jakefrom said:
He means the glare on the windshield from the towel, not the towel on the dash itself. Polorized sunglasses do get rid of pretty much all the glare, my Oakleys do the job very nicely. Gotta start doing this in my car as well, been 100+ everyday here and car holds the heat well into the night when I'm commuting to work.
Click to expand...
It was a poor attempt at humor.

Sent from my PG86100 using Tapatalk 2
 
#7 ·
I haven't noticed this radiating heat phenomona and it's been extremely hot and sunny where I am. I live on an island and we have moderate drought conditions and are being asked to conserve water. Why not just roll down the windows or run the ac?
 
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#8 ·
Is the heat radiating you describe from being parked or just when driving?
A local newspaper did testing on the best single method to keep the steering wheel cool when parking in the sun and the best option is to crack a window. I personally usually just put up a mylar sunshade, but if I know it won't rain I'll crack a window too.
 
#9 ·
I tested my dash temp today

I tested the dash temperature on my F-150 work truck today with an infrared thermometer gun and measured 165 degrees F at 12:30 pm when the ambient temperature was 93 F. The dash on that truck is light gray so it should be less there than on my Focus where the dash is black in color since black absorbs more light. I'll try measuring my Focus dash temp. next time it's sitting baking in the sun on a hot day.
 
#10 ·
Focus YBTC said:
I tested the dash temperature on my F-150 work truck today with an infrared thermometer gun and measured 165 degrees F at 12:30 pm when the ambient temperature was 93 F. The dash on that truck is light gray so it should be less there than on my Focus where the dash is black in color since black absorbs more light. I'll try measuring my Focus dash temp. next time it's sitting baking in the sun on a hot day.
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I tested this with an ir thermometer on an 86 degree F day and saw at least 150+F before I got the solar windshield reflector, although that still doesn't work anywhere near as well as a good ir absorbing/ reflecting tint film. The steering wheel easily got to over 125f and the seats at or over 118-130F in a heat soaked Focus.
 
Discussion starter · #11 ·
I was .....

referring to this post about dash covers.

http://www.focusfanatics.com/forum/showthread.php?p=4133147

The new focus has a huge windshield and large dashboard that in my (subjective) experience catches a lot sun and heat.

Yes I use the A/C and have Ventshades, this does help beat the heat.

I might get a IR heat temp gun but to verify it if I can find a economical one.

Wait! I'll use my grill thermometer! Do you think my warranty would be voided by sticking the probe in my dash? :)
 
#12 ·
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#14 ·
SE12-Burgh said:
referring to this post about dash covers.

http://www.focusfanatics.com/forum/showthread.php?p=4133147

The new focus has a huge windshield and large dashboard that in my (subjective) experience catches a lot sun and heat.

Yes I use the A/C and have Ventshades, this does help beat the heat.

I might get a IR heat temp gun but to verify it if I can find a economical one.

Wait! I'll use my grill thermometer! Do you think my warranty would be voided by sticking the probe in my dash? :)
Click to expand...
No need for all of that testing...get in the car and put your hand on the dash. In the summer, it'll burn.

The front windshield is deceptively massive on this car, as is the dash. These two things make sure the car retains a lot of heat when sitting in a parking lot or the like. Tinting the windshield would remove much of that problem, but it's also fairly illegal and most shops won't touch it. Ziebarts does all of my tinting and they won't do anything but a strip on the front windshield [thumbd]
 
#17 ·
Man, I don't notice excessive heat or glare off the dash at all, and we're in triple digits here (and I haven't had the windows tinted yet). Theoretically, I can see where people are coming from - the dash is a big expansive black space - but I just haven't experienced it. I wonder if seating position might have something to do with it? I have my seat cranked down as low as it will go - how about y'all? Any chance you are sitting higher up and maybe catching more glare that way?
 
Discussion starter · #18 ·
Maybe I am more sensitive than others or my traded in Mariner had a light colored dash, but after a 1/2 hour or less of driving in the midday sun I feel the heat. This might be the issue why some people do not feel the heat from the dash. Drive around at high noon for a while and touch your dash. I'll post my test in a day or so.
 
Discussion starter · #19 ·
the results

Sorry for the delay. The heat wave broke and I got on the Piaggio BV250 for a few days.
Well the past two days I rode around with and without the towel. (Around noon)

Using the Ryobi IR Thermometer I got a average temp of 125 F without the towel. (The black dashboard got as hot as 130 F.)

With the towel I average about 110 F.

15 degrees is 15 degrees.

These are by no means scientific results.

I've been wondering if the material of the towel is part of the equation, does it hold the heat versus the dashboard radiating it?
 
#20 ·
What color was the towel? Also, the towel has (work with me) fins coming out in the form of tiny strings much like that of a radiator. Heat doesn't get absorbed as easily.
 
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scott7278
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